Robert August Schultz

Monday, March 2, 2020 5:55 pm

Robert August Schultz was born Aug. 17, 1924, in Postville. He died at Unity Point Health, Allen Hospital in Wa-terloo at the age of 95. Visitation was from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 29, at St. John Lutheran Church in Luana. Funeral service was at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 29, at St. John Lutheran Church in Luana, with Rev. Lynn Noel as the officiant. Burial followed at St. John Lutheran Church Cemetery, Luana.

He was the younger of two children born to Lawrence and Lucille Schultz.
Robert graduated from Luana Consolidated High School in Luana, Iowa in 1941 and started a farming career just outside of Luana.

obert married Hilda Elizabeth “Betty” Strauch in the Methodist Church in Elgin Sept. 15, 1946. Robert and Betty made their home on a farm north of Luana for 60 years. They were lifetime residents of Luana.

A daughter, Susan Kay, was born May 27, 1948. Another daughter, Deborah Jane, was born April 7, 1950. Debo-rah Jane succumbed to leukemia after a three-year illness in 1957. A son, David Lawrence, was born Oct. 2, 1956.
Robert and Betty spent the early years of their marriage in the dairy farming business. Robert was heavily involved where he raised purebred registered Holsteins under the Lar-Bob Holstein name. Robert was involved with several dairy organizations in Iowa throughout his career and cherished the many friends he made in the dairy industry. Robert was one of six recipients who received the Iowa Distinguished Dairyman Award in 1973. The highlight of Robert’s farming career was when he received the Iowa Master Farmer Award presented by Wallace Farmer in 1976. This award acknowledges not only outstanding management in Robert and Betty’s farming operation but also leadership in local, community and state organizations.

Robert also became actively involved in the banking industry with Luana Savings Bank and served as chairman of the board for over three decades. Robert provided the foundation for Luana Savings Bank to experience exceptional growth over a 30-year period. Robert cherished the long relationships he had with the Board of Directors and staff at Luana Savings Bank and was proud to have four other family members involved in Luana Savings Bank. Robert also served as a director at Waukon State Bank.

Robert was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Luana. Robert was involved in several church functions throughout his lifetime. His wife Betty was chairman of the St. John’s Lutheran Church Scholarship Fund in Luana, which was founded by the Schultz Family in 1996.

Robert and his wife Betty loved the simple things in life and loved the hometown area. Robert was an avid bowler in his younger years and later in life received much enjoyment as a member of the Tri-City Golf Course. Robert and Betty cherished the time spent with friends traveling together.

Survivors include his daughter and son; Susan Kay Schultz, Scottsdale, Ariz., David Lawrence Schultz and his wife Mona Schultz, Luana; and three grandchildren: Blake Robert Schultz and his wife Andrea, Norwalk, Sarah Ann Freilinger and her husband Reggie, Monona and Stephanie David Steele and her husband Brenen, Luana; and three great-grandchildren: Clara Marie and Emily Stein Schultz, Norwalk and Foster Joseph Freilinger, Monona.

Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Schultz; his parents; his sister, Erma Jean Rynasiewicz; and his daughter, Deborah Jane.

Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Monona helped the family with arrangements.